In December, when the live version of Peter Pan aired on NBC, some people wondered what the network had up its sleeve regarding another musical. I had my own ideas and shared them on Twitter, with several people in agreement:
Suggested Reading
https://twitter.com/YeshaCallahan/status/540718314931359745https://twitter.com/huny/status/540719602163286016
As irony would have it, on Monday NBC announced that a live version of The Wiz would air this December. The first thing that came to my mind was, “How many ways will they screw this up?”
According to EW, NBC will partner with Cirque du Soleil, which will co-produce the event, and then present it as a Broadway revival for the 2016-17 season. Director Kenny Leon will stage both the television production and Broadway revival of The Wiz, in collaboration with Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, who will contribute new material to the original Broadway book by William F. Brown.
So now the big question comes to mind: Who will be cast as Dorothy Gale? Personally, I’d like to see the role go to someone like Janelle Monáe, for the obvious reasons. She can sing, dance and act. Glinda, the Good Witch of the South? I’m going for Phylicia Rashad. The Evil Witch? Let’s give the role to Mo’Nique. I can see Usher in Michael Jackson’s Scarecrow character. I also think Tituss Burgess, who currently appears on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, would make a perfect Cowardly Lion. Donald Glover I see as the Tin Man, and Joe Morton or Dennis Haysbert as the Wizard.
NBC hasn’t given any information on the cast; one can only hope the network doesn’t screw up the casting.
Readers of The Root: Who would you cast in The Wiz? Vote here.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.